Archive | Mother’s Day

(NU) – Last year, flowers and jewelry topped the list of popular Mother’s Day gifts — naturally. Many women enjoy the warmth that fresh flowers add to a room, almost as much as supplementing a never-ending jewelry collection.

But if you honored Mom with tried-and-true gifts last May, show your appreciation by exercising a few creative muscles this year. Do something different — seize the op- portunity to show unflinching love and gratitude.

Need a little help? The gift experts at RedEnvelope (www.redenvelope.com) — a trust- ed source of ideas and inspiration for any occasion — compiled sug- gestions about how to find the best present for the moms in your life.

For the traditional mom: Tra- ditional moms rarely stop working for their families yet never ask much in return. Whether she rel- ishes a new book, long baths or champagne brunches, she deserves it all. Give her a reason to sched- ule some “me time” with a home spa treatment, like a Lavender Re- laxation Spa Set and a new spring robe. Or if she likes to share with friends, indulge in a Champagne Treats Basket from Shari’s Berries (www.berries.com).

For the contemporary mom: Whether it’s your sister, daughter wife or mother, the contemporary mom maintains a stylish home and makes strollers look fashionable. While her glamour may appear effortless, reminders don’t hurt. Brighten up her office or desk with a Mother and Child Orchid Garden (www.proflowers.com). If you’re brave, consider a pair of Enamel Stud Earrings, only offered at Re- dEnvelope. The big, bold enamel earrings have a versatile feel that can be both retro and mod.

For the gourmet mom: The gourmet mom tends to throw the best dinners, perhaps a result of restaurant experience or just a deep-rooted love of good cooking. Either way, her taste buds deserve some treats she didn’t make. If she has a sweet tooth, Shari’s Berries delivers handmade Mother’s Day chocolatey-covered strawberries and Cake Pops. For the potluck regulars, customize a glazed Stoneware Casserole dish with a nickname or favorite phrase at Personal Creations (www.personalcreations.com).

For the entertaining mom: If it’s possible to have a monopoly on holiday parties, leave it to the entertainers. Entertaining moms are the first to send out a Google group invite to Sunday “Fun-day” at their house. Even though we can’t attend every single one, they are admittedly some of the best parties. Surprise her with a lavish token of love, like a box of gourmet dipped berries one day, followed by two dozen rainbow roses the next. New Personal Cre- ations picture frames allow for col- lage cut-outs reading anything from “I Love Mom” to “Family.”

(BPT) – Families have many special traditions to celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Starting new traditions around these days is also common. If your family is looking for some new ways to enjoy Mother’s Day or Father’s Day this year, check out these tips and gift ideas that will help make your celebrations special:

* Shop, dine or donate – Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are when we recognize parents for starting their families. This year, March of Dimes is launching the imbornto campaign to celebrate a powerful truth that every baby is born to do something great, but first they have to be born strong and healthy. Every time a baby is born, so are a new mom and dad. That’s why March of Dimes is the “Official Partner of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day,” encouraging you to shop, dine or donate where you see the imbornto seal to help continue the organization’s 75 years of research, education, vaccine development and medical breakthrough. imbornto partners include Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., The Bon-Ton Stores, Bliss Carpets, Farmers Insurance, Kmart, Mud Pie, Beaulieu, ProFlowers and First Response. Visit www.imbornto.com to learn more.

* Good eats – New delicious recipes always bring flair to family gatherings around the dinner table. Make it a fun event by having family members create these recipes together, and then present them to mom or dad with a flourish of colorful cards, fresh cut flowers or brightly-wrapped packaging. Here are some great recipes from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. to try:

Bring potatoes and vinegar to a boil in a medium saucepan (vinegar should cover potatoes). Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer potatoes until just fork tender, about 5 minutes. Let potatoes cool in vinegar for 30 minutes. Drain well, and gently toss with oil, salt and pepper. Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill potatoes in a single layer until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle with salt before serving.

On a floured work surface, roll dough to a 10-by-18-inch rectangle. Dot upper two-thirds of dough with 1 cup butter and fold dough like a letter. Roll dough to a 10-by-18-inch rectangle. Refrigerate on a baking sheet until firm, 1 hour (or up to 1 day). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine sugar, pecans and salt. Leaving a 1/2-inch border, dot dough with 6 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Starting at a long end, roll up dough like a jelly roll. Cut crosswise into 12 pieces. Place each piece, cut side down, into 2 jumbo muffin pans or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Immediately invert buns onto a serving platter or baking sheet. Serve warm.

Cook’s note:

Folding butter into the dough creates a flaky, rich result. This recipe works well with store-bought dough, but it’s exceptional with homemade.

* Family activity time – Spending the day together is the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, so find an activity everyone can enjoy. Maybe it’s heading out to watch a movie, going to the local park for a long walk or bike ride, or crafting a household decoration together.

All members of the family can enjoy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, so consider trying out a new family tradition and make the celebration even bigger this year.

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict features a heavenly sauce made with heart-healthy canola oil.

(NAPS)—Show your love for mom by looking after her health with the gift of heart-smart cooking.

Try classic brunch recipes that have a heart-healthy twist, such as those from CanolaInfo’s “Mother’s May the Healthy Way” recipe collection from Ellie Krieger, M.S., R.D., host of the Cooking Channel’s “Healthy Appetite.”

To lighten up her recipes, Krieger uses low-fat dairy products, whole grains and canola oil, which has the least saturated fat and most omega-3 fat of all common culinary oils.

Here’s a healthier take on Eggs Benedict to warm mom’s heart:

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Creamy Dill Caper Sauce

Yield: 4 servings

Serving size: 1 piece

1⁄2 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus sprigs for garnish

1 Tbsp capers, drained

1⁄2 tsp finely grated lemon zest

2 whole-grain English muffins

3 oz thinly sliced smoked salmon

4 medium eggs

3 Tbsp white wine vinegar

To make sauce: In medium bowl, whisk yogurt and canola oil until blended. Whisk in lemon juice, then stir in chopped dill, capers and lemon zest. Toast English muffins. Place slice or two of salmon on top of each English muffin half. To poach eggs: Fill large, deep skillet about ¾ inch to top with water and bring to boil over high heat. Add vinegar, then reduce heat to medium-low. Crack egg into small bowl, then gently add it to boiling water. Repeat with remaining eggs until all four eggs are in skillet. Cook until whites of eggs are set but yolks are still slightly runny, about 3 minutes. Use slotted spoon to transfer eggs to paper towel to drain. (Alternatively, cook eggs over easy in nonstick skillet.) Transfer each egg to salmon-topped English muffin half. Pour 2 tablespoons of sauce on top of each muffin and garnish each with sprig of dill.